Monday, March 31, 3:05 PM on ESP2, NESN, MASN

Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, Maryland

BOS - J. Lester (0-0) vs. BAL - C. Tillman (0-0)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Orioles escaped out of the AL East last year to make their first trip to the playoffs since the 1997 season. The've added Nelson Cruz to go with power supplier Chris Davis for an offense that looks to be explosive. The Red Sox know a thing or two about the postseason as they look to become the first team to repeat as back to back World Series Champions in over a decade with a retooled lineup.

Getting the start for Baltimore to kick off the 2014 season is Chris Tillman. Manager Buck Showalter is putting a lot of trust in the right hander who is poised to become one of the AL's elite in 2014. Over the last two seasons Tillman has gone 25-10 including a 16-7 record a year ago. Tillman broke the 200 IP mark for the first time in his career while posting an ERA of 3.71. He was masterful against the Red Sox a year ago going 3-1 with a no decision in 5 starts. Boston has a combined batting average of only .181 against the big right hander.

The Red Sox counter with proven veteran Jon Lester, who rebounded from a down year to go 15-8 in 2013. Lester started 33 games and posted an ERA of 3.75. This will be the 7th year as a full-time starter for Lester but the 30-year old has proven he's got something left in the tank. Lester made 4 starts against Baltimore a year ago going 1-2 with a no decision. Lester has struck out Baltimore's Adam Jones 21 of the 53 times he's faced him but Nelson Cruz owns a .455 average against Lester over the 22 times he's faced him.

ATS Data

Boston 

Boston is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Baltimore
Boston is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Baltimore
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing on the road against Baltimore

Baltimore 

Baltimore is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Boston
Baltimore is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Baltimore's last 5 games when playing at home against Boston

Injuries to Watch

Boston 

No injuries to report at this time

Baltimore 

No injuries to report at this time

Tony's Pick: Take Boston

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